Winning the 'war on talent'

Winning the 'war on talent'

Author: Momentum Media January 7, 2026 Duration: 40:40

With just 5.1 per cent of roles in air traffic controllers, pilots and licensed aircraft maintenance held by women – and only 4 per cent globally for pilots – the pace of change towards gender parity in aviation is still glacial.

Though Australia's figures are a little higher, even here we still have a long way to go, and with the aviation industry crying out for talent, it's clear that we need to make a big push for a more diverse workforce.

Leidos Australia has recently hit its goal of 20 per cent female pilots, with the aerospace firm driving hard towards a more inclusive corporate culture at the same time.

On this week's Australian Aviation Podcast, Jake Nelson talks to Jesse Young from Leidos and Kristen Raby of Aviation/Aerospace Australia on how the industry can learn from Leidos' example, and how to break down the barriers to a more diverse workforce.


You'll find the Australian Aviation Podcast Network right at the intersection of runway tarmac and boardroom strategy. Produced by Momentum Media, this collection of shows digs into the stories that define flight in this part of the world, moving well beyond the headlines. Each episode feels like a hangar chat with the people who know the industry best-pilots, engineers, executives, and analysts-offering a grounded perspective on everything from the engineering marvels of new aircraft to the complex logistics of running an airline. We explore the sheer joy and freedom of recreational flying just as deeply as the tough commercial decisions that keep the sector aloft. Whether it's a discussion on sustainable fuel technologies, the revival of regional routes, or the history behind a beloved aircraft type, the conversation is always driven by genuine curiosity. Tune in for clear, informed talk that connects the dots between the business of aviation and the passion that fuels it, all delivered with a distinct Aussie lens. This podcast network is for anyone who feels that lift of anticipation when an aircraft throttles down the runway, or who simply wants to understand the forces that shape how we connect across this vast continent and beyond.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 385

Australian Aviation Podcast Network
Podcast Episodes
Are power banks a flight risk? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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They've become an indispensable part of our modern digital lives, but airlines are increasingly wary of portable lithium batteries and power banks, which can have an alarming tendency to catch fire if damaged or short-ci…
Qantas hits the jackpot on Sydney slots [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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Sydney Airport has a new slot manager, one with no ties to the big domestic airlines … and yet, Qantas Group has still nabbed the majority of available take-off and landing slots over the end-of-year peak, with Virgin a…
Scattered Spider catches Qantas in its web [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:14
It's been just over a week since Qantas suffered a major data breach, with cyber criminals stealing a trove of customer data from a call centre including names, email addresses and frequent flyer numbers. The reputationa…
Qantas XLR-ates its fleet renewal [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:40
After a long wait and a marathon ferry flight from Hamburg, Qantas' first A321XLR, VH-OGA, has finally touched down in Australia, a significant step in the Flying Kangaroo's "Project Winton" fleet renewal. It's the begin…
Smooth landing for Virgin at ASX [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:14
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Duration: 42:04
Almost 40 years after its rebranding as Australian Airlines – and just over 30 years after its merger with Qantas – a consortium is planning to bring back Trans Australia Airlines, or TAA, with an ambitious plan that wou…
3 Australian astronauts answer questions from schoolkids [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:56
With co-host Jake Nelson off sick, Australian Aviation has had to improvise for this week's podcast. But what a treat we have for you. Two weeks ago, Australian Aviation's sister brand, Space Connect, hosted its Australi…
Is Newcastle the next Gold Coast? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:36
With Western Sydney International Airport still a year and a half from opening, an unexpected alternative might be about to hit the congested NSW market: Newcastle Airport, a couple of hours north of Sydney, will soon ha…
A life-changing solo flight [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:52
On 2 July, associate professor Andrew Kornberg, senior neurologist at The Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne, will set off from Moorabbin Airport on a journey around Australia in his own single-engine plane to raise…
'It's a lot easier to shut it down than to start it up' [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:20
After five tumultuous years as head of Air New Zealand, CEO Greg Foran is preparing to hang up his wings this October. Between COVID-19 border closures, fleet delays, maintenance issues and other problems, it's fair to s…